Casual Date?

“So, how does this look?” Rosalind stepped out of a changing room wearing a pleated red dress. Ataru gave a stern nod.

“Great, but not very functional. Should be good for casual use.” He responded. She had given him strict instructions to be honest and brief. They’d spent a few hours going through clothes, it was a struggle just to find something that fit.

“How about this one?” She came out minutes later wearing a set of black leather armor.

“Very functional, but not exactly subtle… Are you alright? It looks a little tight around your chest.” He said. She sighed and walked back into the changing room.

“And this?” Rosalind walked out wearing a dark violet battle dress, along with a pair of black shorts and thigh high boots without heels. The dress looked like it came straight out of an MMO he’d once played. He wondered how she managed to find something so fitting.

“Yes.” He said, as serious as could be. Rosalind tilted her head at him.

“I know I said be brief, but you can give me a bit more to work with.”

“It’s perfect, the dark color brings out the natural charm of your hair and eyes while not overshadowing them, it emphasizes your form while remaining functional, the shorts are–”

“Okay okay, I get it.” She said, her face flushed red. “Now it’s your turn.” She picked up the pile of clothes he’d chosen and pushed him into the changing room.

“Well?” He walked out wearing a plain gray shirt and pants. Rosalind looked at him with a dull expression.

“Boring, but I guess it can be a spare set to wear, next.” She shooed him back into the changing room.

“Uhh, I don’t remember grabbing this.” He next wore a black jacket with a short cut shirt, leaving his abdomen exposed, combined with a pair of black jeans. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised this world has denim, but it’s still weird to see…”

“We’ll take that as well, it’s important.” Rosalind commanded. He had a feeling it wasn’t important, but it wasn’t as if he hated it. He’d never have thought this was to her taste, however.

He next came out wearing a belt bound dark blue shirt with a short black cloak, along with durable black pants and boots. “Proper adventuring attire, I would say.” Rosalind said with a nod.

“Is that all?” Ataru said, folding his arms.

“You look quite dashing, Ataru.” She said, Ataru nodded and struck a pose.

“As a future duster should, right?” He said, alternating between poses.

“Come on, you’re gonna ruin it.” She chuckled.

As they paid for the clothes, the shop attendant, a young wolf eared woman beamed a smile as they left. “Enjoy the rest of your date you two!” They both twitched upon hearing her before rushing out of the store. Rosalind shoved their clothes into her magic space, and they began walking back to the inn, oddly quiet.

“So…” Ataru spoke first. “This isn’t a date, right?” He asked with a nervous laugh.

“What? No, of course not. Did you think it was a date?” She asked, her voice cracking.

“Ha, no, of course not. I mean, I didn’t say this was a date and you didn’t say this was a date so how could this possibly be a date?” He stammered out quickly. Rosalind rapidly nodded her head.

“Right! What a silly assumption for that woman to make.” They both laughed as they walked along, before they fell into silence again. Ataru could feel his heart pounding in his chest. This couldn’t be a date, after all it wasn’t as if someone like Rosalind could like him. At least, not like like him. Yeah, that wasn’t possible. Now that he thought about it, did she even need him around anymore? She could likely become a duster without him, if anything he’d be holding her back.

“Yeah, silly.” He whispered.

“Did you say something?” Rosalind looked to him. As she did, a voice called out to them.

“You two, how would you like to be our next contestants!?” A man dressed in a gaudy outfit greeted them. He stood behind a table with mallets attached via a rope. “The festival of Fall is only next month, how would you like to try a brand new attraction before it hits the big stage!?” They looked at each other before approaching the table.

“What kinda game is it?” Ataru asked.

“I’m SO glad you asked, dear sir. This game here is called Wack a Friend! Name pending, but as for the rules, it’s very simple. Each of you will take a place at opposite ends of this table and set your mallet down in front of you. Then, you will wait for me to blow on this whistle. The first one to pick up their mallet and hit their friend on the head is the winner! Just remember, if you take a single step away from the table that’s an automatic loss! Also, don’t worry about hurting your friend, these mallets may look tough, but it’s just a stuffed toy.” Ataru looked to Rosalind.

“I’m down if you are.” He said, rolling up his sleeves.

“Of course, perhaps it’s time I showed you what I can really do.” She grinned as she took her place at the table. Ataru took his and they both waited for the signal.

The game runner blew the whistle, and they both reached for their mallet. Ataru grabbed his first, and by the time Rosalind had raised her’s in the air a mallet had already smacked her on the top of her head with a resounding squeak of the toy. “Ah, I’m sorry, but was that ‘what you can really do?’” He said with a smug smirk.

“Once more.” Rosalind said. The game runner nodded and moved the whistle to his mouth as they both reset their mallets. The whistle was blown again, and once again Ataru was faster to pick up his mallet. However, as he went to swing the toy upon her head, a gust of wind blew his arm off course.

“Wha–” Rosalind whacked him on the head, taking advantage of the opening. “Now wait a sec, was that magic?” Rosalind whistled innocently as she held her left hand behind her back. “Oh ho, I see how it is. Now we have a game! Again!” The game runner looked between the two of them hesitantly before bringing the whistle to his lips.

The whistle blew, and this time Ataru was again first to grab his mallet. The same gust of wind blew, but there was a difference this time. Ataru hadn’t swung the mallet yet. He leaned out of the way of Rosalind’s swing, making sure not to take a step, and then swung towards her head. Another gust of wind blew, knocking him off course. He missed, but he was ready for the counter swing and dodged once more. They both swung at once, causing the mallets to strike each other. A loud squeak emanated from the clash. They both swung again and again, as the wind picked up in force, and Ataru pushed his body further and further. Squeak after squeak was heard as a small crowd gathered around the table.

“I-I don’t believe this is how the game is meant to be played!” The game master yelled, but the two of them were too engrossed to notice.

There was a final resounding squeak as the mallets smashed into each other, their wooden handles shattering. The two of them stopped and blinked at the broken toys in their hands. “Back to the drawing board…” The game master sighed. Meanwhile, the crowd around them cheered.

Ataru and Rosalind gave each other a glance before sprinting off. Leaving a single silver coin on the table as an apology. As they ran, they broke out into laughter.

“I think we can call it a draw!” Ataru managed to say between fits of laughter.

“Until next time!” Rosalind said, nudging him in the side.

After putting a few blocks of distance between themselves and the scene of the crime, they stopped to catch their breath. “I changed my mind.” Rosalind said. “I don’t think it would be so bad to call this a date.” She looked at him with a smile, a smile so beautiful he nearly fell to his knees. She wasn’t joking, was she? He thought to himself. Even if it was a joke, it was alright to believe it, wasn’t it?

“Yeah, not bad at all.”